Torres-Martinez, Riverside County to Sign Land-Use Agreement

News Release

2011

May06

Torres-Martinez, Riverside County to Sign Land-Use Agreement

TORRES-MARTINEZ INDIAN RESERVATION – The County of Riverside and the Torres-Martinez Desert
Cahuilla Indians Tribal Council will sign a groundbreaking land-use agreement at 9 a.m. May 18 at
the Torres-Martinez Tribal Hall (66-725 Martinez Rd., Thermal).

The agreement launches a cooperative approach to land use planning on non-Indian owned land
within the tribe’s reservation boundaries. The agreement establishes a process for expediting
projects to reduce unnecessary administrative duplication, minimize dual application fees for
permits and make informed decisions with the joint review and consultation by both county and
tribal governments.

“With this agreement in place, both governments can work cooperatively to review projects and
advance sound growth management, zoning and land use planning decisions,” said Supervisor John J.
Benoit. “This historic agreement strengthens our relationship between the Tribe and Riverside
County and arrives after a lot of dedicated efforts by county staff, the tribe and my predecessor
Roy Wilson.”

“The Torres-Martinez Desert Cahuilla Indians Tribal Government is looking forward to signing
this MOU with Riverside County,” said Tribal Vice Chairman Raymond Torres. “This long awaited
document will join the two parties so that we can begin working hand in hand. This agreement will
help us to work efficiently and effectively as a government and county.”

The agreement is one of the first of its kind between Riverside County and a tribal government.
The county has an agreement with the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians where county planning
staff actively processes land use applications on behalf of the Tribe for lands that normally would
be entirely within tribal jurisdiction and not within the county’s legal authority.

Due to space constraints, the event is closed to the general public. Media representatives are
invited, but reservations to 760-863-8211 are requested by May 12.